“Under any circumstances, San Francisco’s newest branch library would be an inviting addition to the North Beach landscape. The exterior is assertive without being flamboyant; the reading room, in its own modest way, is one of the best interior spaces you’ll find in a local civic building. When you consider the obstructions the project had to navigate – a closed-minded crusade that hasn’t yet stopped – the quality of what opens Saturday is even better. The 24th branch library to be built or remodeled since 2007 is small-scale urban architecture at its best, in sync with the past but thoroughly modern in look and feel. Where it pushes the boundary – literally, by extending into what was the 2000 block of Mason Street – the payoff for patrons more than justifies the move.” (via SFGate)

“Renovated Central Library has been picked as one of the best library projects of the past two years. The American Institute of Architects chose it and five other libraries across the country for a library building award, the group announced today in a press release. The library, which originally opened in 1912, is honored with the biennial award from the AIA and the American Library Association. The award celebrates the best in library design by U.S. licensed architects. For the St. Louis library, work was by Cannon Design.” (via St. Louis Post Dispatch)

“By Design’s Janne Ryan spoke with architecture critic Elizabeth Farrelly and architect Tone Wheeler about the powerful connection between knowledge and the design of libraries. As the digital world changes our lives, so too do the design of our libraries and their role. Are they still important?” (via Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

“It can sometimes be difficult to find absolute silence in a library if a noisy student or two decide to be chatty. But that’s not really needed at Japan’s Seikei University thanks to the building’s ingeniously designed isolation spheres (pictured above). Referred to as ‘planets’ these modernly designed elevated rooms can be used for meetings or for group work. Such a futuristic environment certainly looks like an inspiring place for young minds to develop! But why bother to go to such lengths to create these isolation rooms? The sole purpose was to create a new type of library where speaking was not prohibited. In a traditional library, students come in to find books that they’re looking for, and then they proceed to read or work quietly. Seikei University wanted to reinvent their library into a space where students have discussions and exchange opinions about their books.”